RADCLIFFE Borough bowed out of the FA Cup despite an excellent performance against high-flying Skelmersdale United.

They were 4-1 down with seven minutes left but gave their opponents a scare with two late goals in front of a healthy crowd of 194.

Chris Mason was denied by a fine save at 2-0 down and Sam Grimshaw volleyed over from Danny Lambert’s cross on 30 minutes.

Chris Cheetham prevented the visitors going further ahead shortly after half-time with two outstanding saves but he could do nothing to prevent Skelmersdale extending the lead with a free-kick.

Dave Sherlock made it 3-1 late on after being put through by Michael McGinley, but hopes of a comeback were shattered in the 83rd minute when Skelmersdale restored their three-goal advantage.

Boro refused to lie down and Mason headed Thomas Hulme’s cross weakly at the keeper four minutes from time.

McGinley slotted the ball past the keeper after running on to the hardworking Sam Howell’s pass and the son of former Bolton Wanderers striker John McGinley almost made it 4-3 straight after when he was denied by the keeper.

Boro did reduce the deficit to one goal on the stroke of full-time when captain Danny Lafferty fired home from the edge of the box.